National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Volume 60 Number 7 July 2018 Armstrong assists on AA-2 By Jay Levine LAS performance prior to travel X-Press editor with a human crew. When the Orion spacecraft is on “The DFI is designed to collect the launch pad preparing for liftoff critical test data from 890 sensors atop the Space Launch System (SLS) across all four modules of the flight rocket, the crew module will have a test vehicle including the LAS, the launch abort system (LAS) mounted crew module, the separation ring on top. If there is a problem on and the booster,” said Gary Martin, the launch pad or during the first Armstrong’s Orion AA-2 project few minutes of the ascent to orbit, manager. could use the system to Armstrong specializes in separate from the rocket and escape instrumentation and integration to safety. of systems and was chosen for Armstrong has played a key role in these tasks because of the center’s developing systems and subsystems expertise, he added. The first of for an upcoming test of the LAS in two major data acquisition systems 2019, called Ascent Abort-2 (AA-2). departed Armstrong in May for During the AA-2, a test article integration into the Orion test sized and weighted to represent AFRC2018-0108-2 NASA/Ken Ulbrich article at NASA’s Johnson Space Orion will launch on an abort test Center. April Torres and Jeffery Sutherland complete a systems and functional check booster from Cape Canaveral Air In addition to collecting all the on the master data acquisition system for the Orion Ascent Abort 2 crew Force Station in Florida. Then data for the crew module, the crew module. The system was sent from Armstrong to NASA’s Johnson Space Center the LAS abort motor will fire to module data acquisition system will in Houston recently. propel the Orion test article to a also collect the LAS research and safe distance away from the rocket. store it on the data recorders. Also before it splashes into the water. flight instrumentation (DFI) All required data will be captured contributing to the data collection Armstrong is designing, subsystem that will collect and and stored on 12 NASA-developed is a digital camera system that will data recorders enabled with GPS acquiring, integrating and return engineering data to validate and ejected from the crew module supporting the developmental computer models of the spacecraft’s AA-2, page 6 Air Force designates QueSST as X-59 Jim Banke forever be known in the history “For everyone working on this will make to our nation and the Aeronautics Research Mission books as the X-59 QueSST. important project, this is great world will ensure its place among Directorate The U.S. Air Force, which is the news and we’re thrilled with the the greatest NASA X-planes ever NASA’s newest experimental government entity responsible for designation,” said Jaiwon Shin, flown,” Shin said. aircraft, designed with quiet assigning X-number designations NASA’s associate administrator for The X-plane number designation supersonic technology and intended and the popular name associated aeronautics. continues a tradition of naming to help open a new era in faster- with the aircraft, officially informed “I’m confident that the than-sound air travel over land, will NASA of their decision June 26. contributions the X-59 QueSST X-59, page 8 www..gov/ X-Press July 2018 New Shepard launches By Leslie Williams needed, depending on the results Armstrong news chief from the flight. Blue Origin successfully launched “A lot of the next steps are driven its New Shepard rocket from the by discovery,” said Collicott. “We company’s West launch have to ask: What did we miss in our site with five NASA-supported predictions? Are phenomena coming technologies onboard July 18. For into play that we didn’t anticipate? each of these payloads, this flight You have to fly to be sure.” was one in a series of suborbital Discovery is also key for a system demonstrations to facilitate designed to gather electromagnetic technology development. field measurements developed The flight helped researchers by the Johns Hopkins University collect critical data to help them Applied Physics Laboratory (APL). confirm theories, refine previous The objective for this flight was to results and fine-tune experiments characterize the electromagnetic field for future testing. environment inside the spacecraft Selected for flight test by Flight to understand the potential effects Opportunities, many of the payloads of strong external and internally on this New Shepard flight aim to generated fields on the spacecraft provide value to other payloads and payloads. on future flights. For example, a Echoing the other principal sensor package developed at NASA’s Courtesy of Sophia Porter investigators on the flight, PI H. Johnson Space Center in Houston The NASA SFEM-2 team stands by the Blue Origin capsule after a successful Todd Smith noted the value of will help characterize suborbital test launch and landing that tested sensor technologies for measuring critical data. being able to secure suborbital flight environments — data critical demonstration through Flight for implementation of technology test environment.” Green and his team flew a specific Opportunities. and science payloads. Some of the payloads flying on subset of the isolation technology on “Flight Opportunities is the “What we’ve done is put together this Blue Origin flight also aim to the flight, gathering data necessary only way we’ve been able to secure an instrumentation package that provide value to other researchers. to tune the full system for a future funding for flights,” Smith said. can gather data to characterize For example, the company Solstar Blue Origin flight. “We might not be doing what we’re the environment on these flight sent the world’s first commercial Other researchers leveraged doing today if it hadn’t been for the platforms,” said Johnson’s Kathryn tweet from space on the Blue the flight to gather data to reach support NASA has provided for our Hurlbert, principal investigator Origin flight in April. This time, the specific goals. technology development.” (PI) for the SFEM-2, which stands company continued work toward Purdue University flewThrough the program, the Space for Suborbital Flight Experiment increasing the robustness of WIFI an experimental predictive Technology Mission Directorate Monitor-2. “The data we gather will in space with an antenna designed technology for the control of (STMD) selects promising help identify the types of payloads to withstand the rigors of a rocket liquid droplets and avoidance of technologies from industry, academia that would be good candidates for demonstration. liquid plugs in tubes — important and government for testing. The Flight testing on a suborbital vehicle.” Also, onboard New Shepard was considerations for condenser flow Opportunities program has helped SFEM-2 measures critical data, the Vibration Isolation Platform passage design in phase-change to test and mature 136 technologies such as acceleration, pressure, from Controlled Dynamics. heat transfer systems. Such systems through 162 suborbital flights. The temperature, humidity, carbon Designed to isolate payloads from are advantageous for spaceflight program is funded by STMD and dioxide levels and acoustic levels. the disturbances of flight – the because they provide better power managed at Armstrong. This sensor package first flew with platform is also capable of creating capacity, lower volume and better “NASA needs technologies that Blue Origin in April 2018. This environments required for a temperature uniformity. enable space exploration,” said Ryan time, the SFEM-2 team was able to particular test scenario. “We’re flying the experiment to Dibley, NASA Flight Opportunities test the technology for a different “A main advantage of the test our computer simulations so campaign manager. “The Flight flight profile. platform is that it can cancel out that we can publish that data and Opportunities program funds flights “We modified the acceleration certain kinds of disturbances for show the research community that on commercial suborbital vehicles to measurement range, allowing us anything that’s mounted to it, or it our tool is useful for designing test these technologies in a relevant to capture higher g levels from can introduce excitations at specific systems for the weightlessness environment, enabling researchers the flight,” said Hurlbert. “This, times to enhance an experiment,” of spaceflight,” said PI Steven to validate their technology, as well combined with the data from said PI Scott Green. “This platform Collicott. as fostering the public and private the first flight, should provide an is destined to be a resource for Collicott also acknowledged relationships that grow this nation’s extensive set of parameters of the future payloads.” that further development may be economy.” X-Press July 2018 Askins awarded scholarship The NASA Armstrong Employee News Exchange Council has presented its 2018 Harold W. Walker Memorial at NASA Scholarship Award to Erin Askins. Askins is a 2018 graduate of Tehachapi High School in First major Tehachapi. She is seeking a major in civil engineering at Rensselaer SLS rocket Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York, this fall and set to play NCAA hardware softball for the institute’s team called the Engineers. She earned a 4.22 assembled grade-point average and graduated in the top 2 percent of her class. The first major piece of core stage hardware for NASA’s Space “I was shocked at first that I Launch System rocket has been was chosen out of all the qualified assembled and is ready to be applicants,” Askins said. “This joined with other hardware scholarship will be very, very for Exploration Mission-1, the helpful toward college and earning first integrated flight of SLS and my education.” AFRC2018-0181-1 NASA/Ken Ulbrich the Orion spacecraft. SLS will The scholarship provides $2,000 enable a new era of exploration Erin Askins, second from left, accepts the 2018 NASA Armstrong Exchange per year for up to four years for beyond low-Earth orbit, Harold W. Walker Memorial Scholarship from Center Director David Mc- attendance at a four-year college or launching crew and cargo on Bride. Next to Erin Askins is her mother Dana Askins. university, providing the recipient deep space exploration missions to the Moon, Mars and beyond. maintains a minimum grade-point Askins is responsible for leading ready for college and this is a signal The backbone of the world’s average of 3.0 or higher. Applicants a team that provides a range that she is ready.” most powerful rocket, the for the annual scholarship must be of services including planning, In 2017 and 2018, Askins was 212-foot-tall core stage, will high school seniors with a parent developing, coordinating and selected to a summer internship contain the SLS rocket’s four RS- working as an Armstrong civil delivering Armstrong’s human at NASA Armstrong, where she 25 rocket engines, propellant service or contract employee. resources programs. worked on systems integration of the tanks, flight computers and Erin Askins is the daughter of “I was thrilled when I learned flight computer and data acquisition much more. Though the smallest Dana and Paul Askins of Tehachapi. Erin had won the scholarship,” systems on the Prandtl 3C subscale part of the core stage, the forward Dana Askins is the NASA Dana Askins said. “It is a aircraft with other interns under skirt will serve two critical roles. It Armstrong Human Resources scholarship opportunity that direction of Armstrong’s Chief will connect the upper part of the director for the Human Capital could be available for four years. rocket to the core stage and house Management Branch. As director, She has worked so hard to be Scholarship, page 6 many of the flight computers, or avionics. On July 24, forward skirt assembly was completed. As part Armstrong of forward skirt testing, the flight computers were powered up for the first time as NASA engineers at Oshkosh tested critical avionic systems Armstrong’s Director of Research that will control the rocket’s flight. The construction, assembly and Engineering Brad Flick was and avionics testing occurred interviewed by Timeless Voices of at NASA’s Michoud Assembly Aviation about how he became Facility in New Orleans. involved in aeronautics. The Located throughout the core interview was one of many NASA stage, the avionics are the rocket’s Armstrong staff participated in “brains,” controlling navigation during AirVenture 2018. The event and communication during is the Experimental Aircraft Asso- launch and flight. It is critical ciation annual airshow. Armstrong’s that all avionics units are installed presence included speakers, an correctly, work as expected and F/A-18 static display and exhibits communicate with each other and other components, including that showcased NASA aeronautics the Orion spacecraft and ground from across the agency. NASA/Matt Kamlet support systems. X-Press July 2018 Message from space Event includes talk with NASA Auñón-Chancellor

By Alyssa Lee shared her thoughts with Krall. “It’s Armstrong Public Affairs intern all about exposure at a young age. I Eric Swanson was eager to ask was lucky enough that my mother Serena M. Auñón-Chancellor, a and father exposed me to science NASA astronaut, if she along with and engineering at around the age her crewmates were able to grow of six or seven. If we can put kids plants aboard the International in free camps or museums and show Space Station. Eric along with more them about it early on, then that than 300 NASA children were inspires them to follow that in the virtually transported to the space future. Another thing I notice is kids station on June 28 through a live will find someone who has a really broadcast between the station and interesting job, but are too afraid Armstrong. to ask about it.” Her advice to the As part of the center’s bi- children: “Go ahead and ask! Bother annual Take your Kids to Work them about their job, and they will Day, NASA families and students tell you.” AFRC2017-0212-19 NASA/Lauren Hughes from Edwards Air Force Base and Attendee and Armstrong employee across the Antelope Valley were Eric Swanson asks NASA astronaut Serena M. Auñón-Chancellor a question Kate McMurtry couldn’t agree more. invited to learn about various during a special event at Armstrong. Auñón-Chancellor was answering ques- McMurtry accompanied her friend’s careers, projects and programs tions live from the International Space Station. daughter to the event this year. “I at NASA. However, unlike past have enjoyed the opportunity to events, this year also included a several questions during the stepped up to the microphone, she bring her so she can get a glimpse of live question-and-answer session 20-minute Earth-to-space call, was interested in learning about the what we do at work. This exposure with Auñón-Chancellor, a member including how it felt to launch into future of science and engineering to new possibilities and career of the Expedition 56/57 crew that space and what Mars exploration from the astronaut. “What does choices can influence the children launched to the orbiting laboratory would look like. Those selected society need to do to create for the future.” in June. For the agency, this was the to ask questions approached the more equality in the science and Along with the downlink, children first time a downlink was hosted in microphone one by one, excited to engineering field?” were able to experience a weather an aircraft hangar. hear answers from space. As she continued to float in Auñón-Chancellor answered When 8-year-old Laura Krall microgravity, Auñón-Chancellor Event, page 7

AFRC2018-0067-24 NASA/Lauren Hughes AFRC2018-0067-24 NASA/Ken Ulbrich Rylee Ritter, first time visitor to Armstrong, sits in a mockup of an F-15 cockpit, dur- Nathalie and Donald Crawford pose for a photo during an Armstrong ing the center’s Take Your Kids To Work Day event. event June 28. X-Press July 2018 SARP is strong at 10 By Kate Squires Barbara Channel, and the Salton Armstrong Public Affairs Sea at altitudes as low as 1,000 feet Twenty-eight undergraduate in order to collect air samples and students are participating in an measure atmospheric gases such as eight-week NASA airborne science methane, carbon dioxide, carbon program field experience designed monoxide, nitrogen oxides and to immerse them in the agency’s ozone in-flight. Earth Science research. The final six weeks of the Embarking on its tenth program are at the University of year, NASA’s Student Airborne California, Irvine where students Research Program (SARP) provides are analyzing and interpreting the a unique opportunity for data they collected onboard the undergraduate students majoring aircraft. In addition to the new in the sciences, mathematics and data collected, students can use engineering to participate in data gathered by SARP participants all aspects of a NASA Airborne during the previous nine years Science research campaign. Flying of the program to compare with aboard NASA’s DC-8 airborne NASA/Megan Schill current observations. laboratory, students will sample and At the conclusion of the measure atmospheric gases to study Mara Nutt, a geology student at Mills College in Oakland, California, con- program, each student will deliver pollution and air quality in the Los nects empty canisters used to collect whole air samples onboard the NASA a final presentation on his or her Angeles basin and in California’s DC-8 at Armstrong. Students in SARP are divided into four groups that are results and conclusions in front of Central Valley. each headed by a different university professor from universities around the an audience of NASA scientists, Students will also use remote country. university faculty members and sensing instruments on NASA’s their fellow SARP students. Many ER-2 to study drought, fire burn students have gone on to present scars and debris flows in Southern their SARP research projects at California and ocean biology along national conferences, frequently the California coast. In addition to at the annual fall meeting of the airborne data collection, students American Geophysical Union. will take measurements at field Students participating in the sites near Santa Barbara, Sequoia 2018 SARP represent 28 different National Forest, and the Salton Sea. colleges and universities from 20 These ground-based measurements different states across the country. will be used for calibration and They were competitively selected validation of measurements taken based on their outstanding by the aircraft teams and will also academic performance, future serve as a complementary data career plans and interest in the set for students to use for their Earth System Science. individual research projects. Students are mentored by SARP participants are given NASA/Megan Schill scientists and engineers from NASA a rare behind-the-scenes look NSRC instrumentation engineer Steven Schill shows students the aircraft in- Headquarters in Washington, as at the instrument installation, stallation for a chilled mirror hygrometer, an instrument used to measure well as Langley Research Center flight planning and scientific data the water content of the atmosphere, at Armstrong. Schill is part of a team in Virginia, Goddard Space Flight collection that is the basis of every of engineers and scientists that run many different instruments onboard the Center in and Ames successful Earth Science airborne DC-8 for the SARP flights. Research Center in California. campaign carried out by NASA. Additional mentors are university These campaigns play a pivotal imagery for Earth system science. students flew onboard the DC-8 faculty members and graduate role in the acquisition of process- SARP began June 18 at NASA on three flights during the week of students from University of oriented knowledge about the Earth Armstrong Flight Research Center’s June 25. California Irvine, University system, as well as calibration and Building 703 in Palmdale with They flew over dairies and oil of California at Santa Barbara, AFRC2018-0067-24 NASA/Ken Ulbrich validation of NASA’s space-borne lectures by university faculty fields in the San Joaquin Valley, University of California Santa Earth observations, remote sensing members, NASA scientists and and sampled the atmosphere measurements and high-resolution NASA program managers. The in the Los Angeles basin, Santa SARP, page 7 X-Press July 2018

AA-2... from page 1 look up at the crew module and for final integration, stacking and encode and transmit video of the launch. separation, he added. AA-2 marks the second dedicated Along with a backup data LAS test. The first flight test of the acquisition system and additional abort system in 2010, called Pad sets of electronics, the system Abort-1 (PA-1), was an effort led by will serve as the central nervous Armstrong for the Orion program system of the stack. The stack is the based at Johnson. During PA-1, an combination of the LAS, the crew abort motor rocketed the test article module, the separation ring and and launch abort stack away from the booster that connects the test the launch pad. AA-2 will test the capsule to the booster. LAS during ascent, where it will Armstrong staff continue to encounter the greatest structural work on the LAS electronics. One stress. set is expected to be complete by “This is different from the PA-1 the middle of August and shipped test because you are inflight and AFRC2018-0128-03 NASA/Lauren Hughes to NASA’s Michoud Assembly you have that booster,” Martin said. Facility in New Orleans, where R.J. Smith mills a plate for the backup data acquisition system for the Orion “With PA-1 the ground wasn’t going Lockheed Martin is assembling Ascent Abort 2 crew module. to move. For this test, the abort test those components, Martin said. The booster is moving at somewhere just other three sets of electronics will above the speed of sound. This is a be integrated at NASA’s Kennedy much more critical test condition for Space Center in Florida starting in separation. You want to get away from September. that launch vehicle as fast as possible Armstrong also acquired the because the reason you aborted is booster rocket to simulate a ride on something is going wrong.” the SLS, along with avionics, flight AA-2 provides the only opportunity software and supporting elements to test a fully active launch abort from Northrop Grumman (formerly system during ascent before flying a Orbital ATK) through an agreement crew and verify it works as predicted with the Air Force. Northrop in the event of an emergency, Grumman is manufacturing the making Armstrong’s contributions launch vehicle under its Sounding and support for the data acquisition Rocket Program 3 contract with system critical for future deep space the Air Force and Missile Systems exploration missions. Center (SMC). Armstrong entered AFRC2018-0128-19 NASA/Lauren Hughes Following AA-2, NASA will into an agreement with SMC in launch an uncrewed Orion 2006 for the Air Force to acquire Randy Wagner prepares elements of the Orion Ascent Abort 2 crew module spacecraft on the SLS rocket and provide the booster to NASA. backup data acquisition system for thermal testing. for Exploration Mission-1 and send The crew module is currently the spacecraft around the moon to being outfitted at Johnson and Plum Brook Station in Sandusky, September for the installation of test systems prior to the first flight will depart in August for an Ohio. Following the test, the crew the separation ring. The combined with astronauts on Exploration acoustic test planned at NASA’s module will return to Johnson in elements then will ship to Kennedy Mission-2.

Scholarship... from page 3 Scientist Al Bowers. placement and honors classes and Concert bands, where she was selected on a rotating basis. Walker Her problem solving, critical during her high school career, Erin trombone section leader. She was was the Aerodynamics branch chief thinking and work ethic helped her Askins was active in numerous a youth volleyball coach volunteer and was associated with the X-15, earn a Rensselaer Medal scholarship school and community activities. for third and fourth graders at the XB-70, lifting body aircraft, the for distinguished academic She also served as captain of the Tehachapi Valley Recreation and supercritical wing and oblique wing achievement in mathematics and varsity softball team and earned Park District. In addition, she was projects. Scholarship funds are raised science. She was a member of the back-to-back First Team All- a volunteer at the Tehachapi Pops from various council activities, National Honor Society, serving League MVP honors, in addition Orchestra. including proceeds from vending as treasurer and a member of the to back-to-back first team all-area Exchange council scholarships machines, Armstrong Gift Shop, the California Scholarship Federation. honors. Askins was active in the are named for former employees Armstrong Flightline Eatery food In addition to excelling in advanced Tehachapi High School Marching of the NASA center, with honorees court sales and fundraising events. X-Press July 2018 NASA announces crews NASA introduced to the world grew up in Atlanta. He came to on Friday the first U.S. astronauts NASA from the Air Force, where he who will fly on American-made was a fighter pilot and and commercial spacecraft to and from rose to the rank of colonel. He was the International Space Station – an selected as an astronaut in 2000 and endeavor that will return astronaut piloted Endeavour for launches to U.S. soil for the first the STS-126 mission and Discovery time since the space shuttle’s on its final flight, STS-133. retirement in 2011. Christopher Ferguson is a native “Our country’s dreams of greater of Philadelphia. He is a retired achievements in space are within our Navy captain, who piloted space grasp,” said NASA Administrator shuttle Atlantis for STS-115, and Jim Bridenstine. “This accomplished commanded shuttle Endeavour on group of American astronauts, STS-126 and Atlantis for the final flying on new spacecraft developed flight of the , by our commercial partners Boeing STS-135. He retired from NASA in and SpaceX, will launch a new 2011 and has been an integral part era of human spaceflight. Today’s of the Boeing CST-100 Starliner announcement advances our great NASA program. American vision and strengthens NASA introduced the first U.S. astronauts who will fly on American-made Nicole Aunapu Mann is a the nation’s leadership in space.” California native and a lieutenant commercial spacecraft to and from the International Space Station – an en- The agency assigned nine colonel in the Marine Corps. She is astronauts to crew the first test deavor that will return astronaut launches to U.S. soil for the first time since an F/A-18 test pilot with more than flight and mission of both Boeing’s the space shuttle’s retirement in 2011. The agency assigned nine astronauts 2,500 flight hours in more than 25 CST-100 Starliner and SpaceX’s to crew the first test flight and mission of Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner and aircraft. Mann was selected as an Crew Dragon. NASA has worked SpaceX’s Crew Dragon. The astronauts are, from left to right: Sunita Wil- astronaut in 2013. This will be her closely with the companies liams, Josh Cassada, Eric Boe, Nicole Mann, Christopher Ferguson, Douglas first trip to space. throughout design, development Hurley, Robert Behnken, Michael Hopkins and Victor Glover. The will launch and testing to ensure the systems aboard a United Launch Alliance meet NASA safety and performance for human spaceflight,” said Mark can’t wait to see them aboard the (ULA) Atlas V rocket from Cape requirements. Geyer, director of NASA’s Johnson International Space Station.” Canaveral Air Force Station in “The men and women we assign Space Center in Houston. “It will Florida. to these first flights are at the be thrilling to see our astronauts Starliner Test Flight Astronauts forefront of this exciting new time lift off from American soil, and we Eric Boe was born in Miami and Crews, page 8

Event... from page 4 balloon launch, sit in a mock-up already started to influence these Air Force is what she hopes for how incredibly rewarding her work of an F-15 cockpit, observe moon young minds. Attendee Joe Dinius when she gets older. is on the space station. As for the rocks through a microscope and now aspires to be an engineer and Whether it is growing plants in NASA children, the experience of play with robots from local robotics work on planes similar to the ones space or gathering critical data for talking to a NASA astronaut on the teams. The close-up exposure to found in the hangars at Armstrong. future space exploration, Auñón- space station was equally rewarding programs and careers at NASA has For Rylee Ritter, joining the U.S. Chancellor let Eric Swanson know for them.

SARP... from page 5 Cruz, the University of Virginia, NASA’s Earth Science research and experience in Earth System science or math (STEM) related careers the University of Houston, and the aid in the recruitment and training using NASA’s unique combination or are pursuing additional STEM University of Notre Dame. of the next generation of scientists of aircraft, sensors, systems, and education. The Student Airborne Research and engineers, many of whom people. The experience will likely SARP is managed by NASA’s Ames Program is one of NASA’s tools will be getting their first hands- have a lifelong impact, in part by Research Center through the National for exposing future scientists to on research experience during this helping them better understand Suborbital Research Center at the the Earth Science missions that program. their interests as they contemplate Bay Area Environmental Research support environmental studies and Jack Kaye, Associate Director their post-college plans.” Institute with funding and support the testing and development of new for Research of NASA’s Earth Of the 277 students that have from NASA’s Earth Science Division. instruments and future satellite Science Division said, “SARP completed the SARP program, Armstrong manages NASA’s DC-8 mission concepts. The program’s provides a fabulous opportunity 93 percent have moved on to and ER-2 aircraft, which are operated goal is to stimulate interest in for these students to get hands-on science, technology, engineering from Building 703. X-Press July 2018

X-59... from page 1 important experimental aircraft aircraft will be equipped with. from Lockheed Martin, Armstrong flights over select communities to and rockets that dates back to 1947 Now under construction by will perform additional flight tests measure residents’ reactions to any and the X-1, the rocket-powered Lockheed Martin Aeronautics to prove the quiet supersonic noise they might hear. airplane that Chuck Yeager flew to Company at its famed Skunk technology works as designed, The scientific data gathered from become the first human to fly faster Works plant in Palmdale, the X-59 the aircraft performance is robust these community overflights will be than the speed of sound. QueSST is designed so that when and that it’s safe to operate in the presented to U.S. and international While that famous X-1 was flying supersonic, people on the National Airspace System. regulators, who will use the nicknamed the Glamorous Glennis, ground will hear nothing more Once fully tested and information to help them come up for Yeager’s wife, today’s X-59 takes than a sonic thump, if anything pronounced safe to fly within the with rules based on noise levels that its QueSST nickname from the at all. National Airspace, the X-59 in late enable new commercial markets for quiet supersonic technology the Once NASA accepts the X-59 2022 will begin making supersonic supersonic flight over land.

Crews... from page 7

Crew Dragon Test Flight has contracted six missions, with Victor Glover is from Pomona, and physical sciences. This research Astronauts as many as four astronauts per California. He is a Navy has led to dramatic improvements Robert Behnken is from St. mission, for each company. commander, aviator and test pilot in technology, infrastructure and Ann, Missouri. He has a doctorate with almost 3,000 hours flying medicine, and thousands of spinoff in engineering and is a flight test Starliner First Mission more than 40 different aircraft. technologies that have improved engineer and colonel in the Air Astronauts He made 400 carrier landings quality of life here on Earth. Force. He joined the astronaut corps Josh Cassada grew up in White and flew 24 combat missions. He The new spaceflight capability in 2000 and flew aboard space shuttle Bear Lake, Minnesota. He is a was selected as part of the 2013 provided by Boeing and SpaceX Endeavour twice, for the STS-123 Navy commander and test pilot astronaut candidate class, and this will allow NASA to maintain and STS-130 missions, during which with more than 3,500 flight hours will be his first spaceflight. a crew of seven astronauts he performed six spacewalks totaling in more than 40 aircraft. He was Michael Hopkins was born on the space station, thereby more than 37 hours. selected as an astronaut in 2013. in Lebanon, Missouri, and grew maximizing scientific research that Douglas Hurley calls Apalachin, This will be his first spaceflight. up on a farm near Richland, leads to breakthroughs and also aids New York, his hometown. He was a was born Missouri. He is a colonel in the in understanding and mitigating test pilot and colonel in the Marine in Euclid, Ohio, but considers Air Force, where he was a flight the challenges of long-duration Corps before coming to NASA in Needham, Massachusetts, her test engineer before being selected spaceflight. 2000 to become an astronaut. He hometown. Williams came to as a NASA astronaut in 2009. NASA’s Commercial Crew piloted space shuttle Endeavor for NASA from the Navy, where she He has spent 166 days on the Program is facilitating the STS-127 and Atlantis for STS-135, was a test pilot and rose to the International Space Station for development of a U.S. commercial the final space shuttle mission. rank of captain before retiring. Expeditions 37/38, and conducted crew space transportation The SpaceX Crew Dragon will Since her selection as an astronaut two spacewalks. capability with the goal of launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 in 1998, she has spent 322 days Additional crew members will be achieving safe, reliable and cost- rocket from Launch Complex 39A aboard the International Space assigned by NASA’s international effective access to and from the at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Station for Expeditions 14/15 and partners at a later date. International Space Station and After each company successfully Expeditions 32/33, commanded NASA’s continuous presence low-Earth orbit.The public- completes its crewed test flight, the space station and performed on the space station for almost private partnerships fostered by NASA will begin the final process seven spacewalks. 18 years has enabled technology the program will stimulate growth of certifying that spacecraft and demonstrations and research in in a robust commercial space systems for regular crew missions Crew Dragon First Mission biology and biotechnology, Earth industry and spark life-changing to the space station. The agency Astronauts and space science, human health innovations for future generations.

The X-Press is published the first Friday of National Aeronautics and each month for civil servants, contractors Space Administration and retirees of the NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center. NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center Address: P.O. Box 273, P.O. Box 273 Building 4800, MS 1422 Edwards, California, 93523-0273 Edwards, California, 93523-0273 Phone: 661-276-3449 Official Business FAX: 661-276-3167 Penalty for Private Use, $300 Editor: Jay Levine, Logical Innovations, ext. 3459

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